Gonzalez: Ryan not an elite quarterback

Tony Gonzalez of the Atlanta Falcons walks to the bench in the final minutes of their 21-20 loss to the Carolina Panthers at Georgia Dome on December 29, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP)

"Matt's an excellent quarterback, but he's not elite. He's this close," Gonzalez said while nearly pinching his thumb and index finger together. "He'll get there, but he has some learning to do."

Ryan, 28, signed a five-year, $103.75 million contract extension last summer that is second among quarterbacks. He only trails Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers.

Gonzalez also said he was open to being traded before the Oct. 29 deadline. At that point, the Falcons fell to 2-5 and on their way to a 4-12 record.

"You trade me to a team that needs me, that wants to make a serious run in the playoffs and the Super Bowl," Gonzalez said. "You get something in return for a guy who you know won't be here next year. And the season isn't going anywhere anyway. That's rational."

He said in October that he would "listen" if the Falcons were interested in trading him. According to the ESPN report, he was not happy about not getting sent to a contender.

Gonzalez was reportedly at a restaurant with his wife, expecting to get a call from the Falcons to let him know he was getting dealt, but the call never came.

Gonzalez made 83 receptions for 859 yards and eight touchdowns in his final year and replaced San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis in the Pro Bowl. His 111 career receiving touchdowns are sixth all-time.